The Art of Beard Trimming
Beard trimming, for some men, is the equivalent of a woman shaving her legs. –It’s just good grooming. For a man, the thought of growing a beard can be a little off-putting simply because the idea of added time spent in the bathroom trimming and shaving is unappealing. The amount of time a man spends trimming his beard can be greatly reduced if he is more diligent with tidying his beard throughout the week. Men who wait a week or week and a half to trim their beard can expect a much longer trim-time because the hairs will be much thicker and longer. Regular trims throughout the week can shorten the grooming time to five or ten minutes.
So, what kind of tools should a bearded man have? That depends on both the man’s beard as well as his ability with sharp objects. For a man on-the-go, an electric trimmer can be extremely appealing. Electric beard trimmers can either be corded or wireless and often come equipped with several “settings” or attachments that alter the closeness of the cut. For longer beards and goatees, this can be the ideal way to zoom through beard trimming without having to pay too much heed as to whether the trim is even. The attachments fit over the entire blade to ensure that all hair is trimmed to precisely the same length.
An alternative to the electric trimmer is the hand-powered comb and scissors. Some men are very particular about the “shape” that their facial hair takes on. The best way to get a specific shape or to vary the length of the hair in certain areas is to take matters into one’s own hands—literally. Barber’s scissors are the best choice for this as they are extremely sharp and precise, which means that individual hairs will not bend or be pulled during trimming. The comb most recommended for hand trimming a beard is called a beard comb. The “teeth” on this comb are very fine and are designed to provide precision when combing through the beard. Any uneven hair will be very noticeable and can be trimmed accordingly. This method does take a pretty steady hand, but it can also provide one’s face with a very unique look.
Now, there are a few beard trimming secretes that a novice may want to pay attention to. Growing a full-fledged beard isn’t just about trimming the hair to that it looks even. It is recommended to stop trimming about an inch above the Adam’s apple. Trimming further than this area can cause the beard to grow too far down the neck. While some people may admire the Lon Chaney, Jr. look from The Wolf Man, this is definitely not a look that one may wish to sport every day. It is also a good idea not to trim too closely to the jaw line unless one is aiming for the Roman look.
Beard hair is notorious for being wiry. If one’s hair is particularly stiff and tough to trim, it may help to shampoo and condition the beard half an hour before trimming. This will allow the bristles to soften enough that they can be managed easily with beard trimming equipment. If one does wash their beard before trimming it, the hair should always be allowed to dry before they begin to trim. Wet hair tends to be a little longer than hair in its dry state because wet hair is simply heavier. Trimming one’s beard while it is wet may end up with a closer cut than was intended.
A novice should always start off by taking a little bit from the beard at a time instead of going for the desired length all at once. This will allow a little breathing room for mistakes. The key is to take trimming slowly. Once one becomes comfortable with their technique, they will find the trimming process to be a breeze!